Serving Mat having a Heated or Freezable Internal Medium

Abstract

Disclosed is a serving dish mat adapted to maintain the serving temperature of a supported article and further prevent damage to an underlying support surface. The mat comprises a geometric shape having a thermally insulating base surface, a thermally conductive upper surface and an internal gel-like material therebetween that is readily freezable or heated. The gel material is one of high specific heat capacity and high enthalpy of fusion that is pre-heated or frozen, after which it releases heat or draws heat through the thermally conductive upper surface for maintaining a serving dish temperature resting thereupon. The gel slowly dissipates heat when heated and absorbs considerable heat when frozen prior to returning to a liquid state. The base surface insulates the support surface from the temperature of the internal material, while a serving dish temperature is maintained over a period without active heating or cooling sources.

I claim: 
     
         1 ) A serving dish heating and cooling mat, comprising:
 a base surface having a thickness,   an upper surface having a thickness and connecting to said base surface;   an internal core material sandwiched between said upper and lower surfaces;   said core material being freezable and heatable, wherein said core transfers heat through said upper surface for heating or chilling an article placed thereon;   said base surface being of higher thermal resistance than said upper surface.   
     
     
         2 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said internal core material comprises a material having a specific heat and enthalpy of fusion greater or equal to that of water. 
     
     
         3 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said inner core material comprises a solution of water and propylene glycol. 
     
     
         4 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface and base surface are of uniform material type, wherein said base surface thickness is greater than said upper surface thickness to increase thermal resistance of said base surface. 
     
     
         5 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface and base surface are of uniform material type and thickness, wherein said base surface further comprises a layer of insulation material thereunder for increasing said base surface thermal resistance. 
     
     
         6 ) The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of apertures extending from said upper surface, through said core and through said base surface. 
     
     
         7 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said core material comprises a reusable heating and cooling pad gel material that is readily freezable and heatable. 
     
     
         8 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said core material is liquid at room temperature.